Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Harper homer, Scherzer no-no highlight double-header sweep
Oct 3, 2015; Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Nationals played a double header against the New York Mets on Saturday, making up the game postponed Friday night because of the weather. It was a drizzly, blustery day at Citi Field. The Nationals had to face two of the Mets young gun pitchers, Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey. Gio Gonzalez and Max Scherzer out dueled the Mets pitchers.
Max Scherzer threw his second no-hitter of the season.
With the Nationals eliminated from the playoffs and the Mets headed to the postseason for the first time since 2006, one would think these games were meaningless. One would be wrong.
The Mets needed wins to try to get home field advantage during the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bryce Harper is in a tight race for the NL batting title and the home run title and needed hits. Harper has been in a slump lately, going 1 for 15 in his last four games. Harper broke out of that slump in a big way in the first game of the double header.
Harper hit a two run home run off reliever Addison Reed. That home run tied him in the NL home race with Nolan Arenado, put his RBI total at 99 for the year, and kept him slightly ahead of Dee Gordon in the batting title race.
The Nationals may have ruined the Mets chances for home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs, taking both games of the double header.
Next: Max Scherzer is Magnificent, Gio Gonzalez Is Pretty Good Too
Oct 3, 2015; Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Max Scherzer is Magnificent, Gio Gonzalez Is Pretty Good Too
Max Scherzer threw his second no-hitter of the season against the Mets in the second game of the double header. He became the sixth pitcher in Major League history to throw two no-hitters in the same season.
He now is the only pitcher in Major League history to pitch two nine inning complete games (that weren’t perfect games) without allowing a hit or a walk. That is incredible.
The Scherzer Nationals fans saw during the first half of the season showed up again for his last several starts this year. In his last start of the season, he carried a perfect game into the sixth inning. His perfecto bid was ruined by a throwing error by Yunel Escobar.
Scherzer struck out seventeen. He walked none. He was absolutely dominant. He struck out nine of the last 10 batters he faced in the game.
What is it about the Nationals pitchers throwing no-hitters at the end of the season? Last year it was Jordan Zimmermann throwing the first no-hitter in Nats history in the last game of the season. Now in the next to last game of the season, Scherzer throws one as well. Perhaps Stephen Strasburg will get his next year.
This was the first Nationals no-hitter on the road. The Nats should invite Jerry Seinfeld to come to every game next year. He was in the house for the no-hitter. Perhaps he could be the Nats’ good luck charm.
More from Max Scherzer
- Washington Nationals: Don’t Hold Your Breathe On A Max Scherzer Reunion
- Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer Scratched From Game 6 Reminiscent Of 2019
- Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer and Trea Turner bring wealth of Postseason experience to Dodgers ahead of Postseason run
- Nationals: Max Scherzer comments have me rethinking my fandom
- Washington Nationals: How Did The Nats Do In The All-Star Game?
Not to be forgotten in the excitement over Scherzer’s last start was the great job Gio Gonzalez did in the first game. Gio went six innings and gave up no runs. He was in line for the win until the bullpen blew the one run lead in the seventh inning.
Gonzalez had one inning when he got himself into trouble, walking three batters to load the bases, but he got out of the jam without giving up a run.
The bar is set pretty high for Tanner Roark, who has to start the last game of the season tomorrow against the Mets.
Next: Changing Of The Guard?
Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Changing Of The Guard?
The first game of the double header featured a regular lineup, with only Michael Taylor sitting. Harper played center field and Matt den Dekker played in right field.
Den Dekker continued to impress, making a case for himself to be the Nationals fourth outfielder next year. In the first game, he made a game-saving catch on a ball ticketed for the gap in right field, and was on base twice with a double and a walk.
Harper could not play Game 2 of the double header. He was hit by a pitch by Syndergaard in shin during his third at bat in game one. He was limping a bit after that, and despite hitting a home run during his next at bat, was not able to go in Game 2.
The line up for the second game featured Wilmer Difo starting at second base, Trea Turner at short stop, Michael Taylor in center field, den Dekker in right field, and Tyler Moore in right field.
Unfortunately we only got a brief glimpse of Difo. In his first at bat, he bunted a ball onto the right side of the infield and slid into first to beat Harvey to the bag. He was called out, but replay showed he was safe. He hurt his hand sliding into the base and left the game after that inning. Dan Uggla was called upon to play second base when Difo had to leave the game.
Both Difo and Turner had hits against Harvey. Taylor reached on an error, which wasn’t really an error, on a ball hit hard to third base with lots of back spin on it that the fielder could not handle.
Taylor scored the Nationals first run after reaching on the “error”. Robinson singled to right field and Taylor’s speed got him to third. Taylor scored on a flyout by Wilson Ramos, again using his speed to score on a ball that wasn’t hit that deep to right field.
Next: That Bat Had Home Runs In It
Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
That Bat Had Home Runs In It
The conditions at Citi Field did not appear to favor home run hitters on Saturday afternoon. It was cold, wet and very windy. The weather conditions looked like Chicago in April, and we all know Chicago in April is where home runs go to die in the outfield for loud outs.
Despite the rotten weather, in the first game of the double header all of the Nationals runs were scored via the home run. Clint Robinson hit a solo shot in the top of the seventh, Harper hit a two run blast in the top of the eighth.
Both home runs were hit to the upper deck in right field. The home runs were hit off different pitchers. Robinson got his off of Syndergaard. Harper got his off reliever Reed.
Both upper deck homers were hit with the same bat.
It is well known by now that Robinson has a special relationship with his bats, and doesn’t lend them out willy nilly. How was Robinson’s bat responsible for two home runs not both hit by Clint?
Harper broke his bat during his second at bat of the game on a ground out. He was hit by a pitch during his third at bat, and felt he needed to change things up. He asked Robinson if he could use his bat for this fourth time at the plate. It worked. Harper went upper tank just like Robinson had done with the same bat.
Despite worsening wind conditions during the second game, Dan Uggla also hit a pitch out of the park against Mets reliever Hansel Robles. We have no word on whether Uggla used the magic bat.
Next: Max Scherzer Throws 2nd No-Hitter in 2-0 Win